Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Writing old school

Whether I'm at Barnes and Noble or Dunkin' Donuts in Coral Gables/Miami, I sometimes prefer to go old school - I write by hand. I've been doing this with my sixth book lately and I find that the writing f-l-o-w-s in a different way.

I really think about what I am going to put down on paper instead of letting my fingers loose to waltz across the keyboard of my laptop in a hyper creative rush. In a world where we constantly type and thumb messages on our smart phones, writing by hand is a welcomed change of pace, a throwback even if my writing looks like chicken scratch that only I can decipher. I'm finding that I am writing more scenes and dialogue when I use a pen than when I use the keyboard. No Wi-Fi required either.

Of course, I then have to input what I wrote by pen into the computer. When I do that, I continue the process of editing and rewriting.

Another benefit to writing by hand - it's low-tech and lightweight. I can do it at the coffee shop or on my red sofa while watching reruns of Knight Rider and Charlie's Angles on COZI TV. (Talk about old school!) My memo pad is much lighter than my laptop. And my battery never runs out.

PS
I also like using pens from the Hampton Inn. They never seem to run out of ink and they're pretty smooth.

Johnny Diaz, Cuban-American author and journalist

Who's Johnny?

Sun Sentinel features reporter. Former Boston Globe reporter. Author of Boston Boys Club, Beantown Cubans, Miami Manhunt, Take the Lead (Spanish version is Tomar La Iniciativa) and Looking for Providence. Book #6 is Six Neckties released in 2017. THIS IS NOT A SUN SENTINEL OR BOSTON GLOBE BLOG but I do post my stories here and essays about my life and things that interest me. My email: johnnydiaz225@gmail.com

Six Neckties (click on the image)

Now that gays are getting hitched, it seems that everyone is saying I Do. Except for Tommy Perez. He's always the best man or groomsman for his friends' nuptials. And with each occasion, Tommy goes home alone with another necktie. He's already on number four. But things seem to improve for the Maine magazine writer when he suddenly meets Danny...

Looking for Providence (my 5th novel, click on the image)

Ronnie thought he had everything he wanted, a guy he adored and job he loved. Then the economy tanked and he lost both. Newly single his adopted home of Providence, he learns to start over as a Business reporter. And his life makes a dramatic turn when he meets a handsome local executive who shows him his native Providence and maybe just the way to his heart....

Beantown Cubans (My third novel)

A witty, warmhearted novel of friendship, familia, and finding a place to call home--even in Boston where it's almost impossible to get an authentic Cuban sandwich (click on the image to order)

Take the Lead (my fourth novel)

click on the image for more details

Boston Boys Club (my debut)

Click on the book cover for more details.

Miami Manhunt (my second novel)

click on image for more information

CBS Boston interview where I talk about Parkinson's, dating, Miami and Boston